Pair of donkeys go for late-night romp in town

Friday

A pair of donkeys who broke out of their pasture early Thursday morning sent police on a chase to corral the beasts, but the owners believe they may have scared away a pack of coyotes.

A pair of donkeys who broke out of their pasture early Thursday morning sent police on a chase to corral the beasts, but the owners believe they may have scared away a pack of coyotes.

The first complaint was received about 1 a.m., when a motorist told police a donkey was running wild down Thompson Street. Officer Peter J. Vanasse was unable to locate the animal.

A couple hours later, another motorist reported seeing two donkeys running amuck in the neighborhood.

Officer Richard Harvey, who said he has seen it all working the midnight shift, set out to find the two culprits. He was able to locate them, and he captured and returned them to the Thompson Street home of Anthony M. Ribeiro Jr. and his wife, Rita.

The couple said they have had the donkeys for three years to protect their herd of cows from coyotes.